Sept. 5, 2011

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford junior setter Karissa Cook has been named the Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week for Aug. 29 to Sept. 4, Commissioner Larry Scott announced today.

Cook heled lead the Cardinal to four-set wins over Notre Dame and No. 18 Duke in the Stanford Invitational. The Santa Cruz, Calif., native averaged 5.00 digs per set, 0.88 blocks per set and 12.25 assists per set in the victories.

Against the Fighting Irish, Cook tied her career high with 20 digs and set a new career best with five blocks. She also controlled the offense with 47 assists and put down three kills of her own. She followed up that performance with another career night, registering a career high 51 assists and, again, tied her career high with 20 digs against the Blue Devils.

She was selected to the all-tournament team for her performances. She leads the conference with 11.57 assists per set and ranks fifth with 4.21 digs per set. It marks the first career conference weekly honor for Cook.

Stanford remains on The Farm this week to host the second annual Nike Volleyball Big Four Classic at Maples Pavilion. The Cardinal opens the weekend against four-time defending national champion Penn State on Friday, Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. National powers Florida and Texas will take the court at 8 p.m. The winners will meet in the championship on Saturday, Sept. 10.